Rookie running backs\u2019 fate in fantasy football often relies on draft day. Not only how high they\u2019re drafted, but to whom. It’s the dichotomy between Ashton Jeanty and Jahmyr Gibbs. Now that the main free agency wave is complete, what are the top RB landing spots for fantasy in 2026?<\/p>\n
1. Washington Commanders<\/p>\n
Overall, the following seven teams are very close in ranking, but with that said, Washington is the surprise No. 1 \u2014 at least for Jeremiyah Love\u2019s case. Without an elite landing spot available, the Commanders offense provides the upside necessary for a talent as dynamic as Love. The main roadblock is the rare case of four running backs up for playing time. If the Commanders select an RB in Day 3, I\u2019d be very down on the landing spot, but for Love\u2019s sake, the four RBs have one thing in common: none are the clear RB1. Rachaad White, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jerome Ford and Jeremy McNichols are fighting to get on the field. If Love gets selected seventh overall, his current second-most likely draft spot, they\u2019ll all be fighting for second.<\/p>\n
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In 2024, rookie Jayden Daniels led Washington to be the fifth-best scoring offense. A bounce-back is needed after an injury-plagued season, but the upside is there. The receiving may be slightly limited with Daniels at the helm; however, with the rushing threat the QB provides, the Commanders RB room benefits heavily from more open lanes created. We see this yearly in Baltimore, for example.<\/p>\n
2. Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n
With the loss of Travis Etienne Jr., the Jaguars could take an RB for the second year in a row to add to last season\u2019s fourth-round pick, Bhayshul Tuten. Jacksonville did sign Chris Rodriguez Jr. as another threat on the ground, but he only received four targets in 2025, unlike a player like Etienne. Liam Coen\u2019s ability to provide for two running backs makes Jacksonville an intriguing option.<\/p>\n
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Last season, the Jaguars ranked sixth in scoring offense and 17th in RB fantasy points. The year prior in Tampa Bay, Coen\u2019s offense ranked fourth in scoring and second in RB fantasy points, behind only Detroit\u2019s duo of Gibbs and David Montgomery. There can be plenty to go around in a near 50\/50 split between a rookie RB and Tuten.<\/p>\n
Bucs RB Bucky Irving is the perfect example in 2024. Not only was he putting up RB1 numbers in the second half of the year, but he also ranked as the RB13 on the year, with exactly 50.0% of the RB touches. Rachaad White, at only 38%, was the RB22. \u200b<\/p>\n
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3. Tennessee Titans<\/p>\n
The Titans at 3 may be a surprise to some. Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears were not good last season, and they\u2019re still there! Cam Ward struggled, and the offense was rough. We did at least see Pollard string together a few dominant performances to end the season, but the coaching changes are the real key.<\/p>\n
New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has produced multiple top fantasy RBs, two of which were rookies in the last two seasons. After Tyrone Tracy Jr. was an RB2 in the second half of 2024, Cam Skattebo was the RB9 in PPG in 2025. Skattebo did not enter New York with a clear opportunity for touches in the slightest. In a Daboll offense, the cream will rise to the top. And although Robert Saleh doesn\u2019t call the offensive plays, his team identity is in favor of a good RB.<\/p>\n
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For what it\u2019s worth, Breece Hall finished as the RB8, RB6 and RB17 in PPG with Saleh before finishing as the RB21 last season. Whether it’s Love or another talented RB that rises to RB1 on the depth chart, the upside is there for an RB who can show his talent is above the rest.<\/p>\n
4. Seattle Seahawks<\/p>\n
The Seahawks combination of offense, ground attack and positional need makes them a solid landing spot. With Kenneth Walker III gone in free agency and Zach Charbonnet returning from an ACL tear, the Seahawks only added an inexpensive option in Emanuel Wilson from Green Bay. The problem is what we saw from 2025 Walker. I don\u2019t blame Klint Kubiak as much as some may for Walker\u2019s lack of volume that resulted in him being the RB29, especially when you take his past seasons into consideration. Maybe a rookie is different, but the plan for Seattle was to keep their backs fresh for the playoffs, a plan that worked to perfection. Even with Kubiak out, does that plan really change under Mike Macdonald?<\/p>\n
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The opportunity with an injured Charbonnet is still great for a rookie\u2019s potential. After all, Seattle\u2019s eighth-ranked scoring offense ran at a higher rate than any NFL team. The offensive line is improved, the QB is figured out, and if volume were to fall on one RB more than another, the fantasy success wouldn\u2019t be hard to come by.<\/p>\n
5. Minnesota Vikings<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s offense since taking over in 2022 ranks 30th in RB fantasy points. A pass-heavy offense that limits short RB targets hurts an RB\u2019s odds at success in any sort of committee. With Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason in the building, it may take some time for a rookie to be given a true opportunity. Kyler Murray is certainly an upgrade at QB, but I\u2019d expect more fantasy RB3s in Minnesota for next year.<\/p>\n
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Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season<\/a><\/p>\n 6. Baltimore Ravens<\/p>\n